Music Therapy Assessment for Older Adults: Descriptive Mixed-Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Music Therapy
• Clinical Assessment Tools

Background:

• The Music Therapy Assessment for Older Adults (MTAOA) is a novel tool designed for assessing older adults.
• Establishing the utility of assessment tools is crucial for evidence-based practice in music therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the content and predictive utility of the MTAOA in Canada and the United States.
• To gather feedback from music therapists on their experience with the MTAOA.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study employed an explanatory descriptive design.
• 18 music therapists completed an online survey regarding MTAOA administration.
• Follow-up interviews were conducted with 9 (50%) of the surveyed music therapists.

Main Results:

• The MTAOA was found to be beneficial, with 89% of participants finding its domains relevant for treatment planning.
• 89% of music therapists indicated they would continue to use and recommend the MTAOA.
• Collected data informed revisions to the assessment form, enhancing inclusive language and reducing potential biases.

Conclusions:

• The revised MTAOA demonstrates utility as an assessment tool for music therapists working with older adults.
• Further research is recommended to validate the MTAOA's utility in diverse global contexts.
• The study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive and unbiased assessment tools in geriatric music therapy.